Combination Diving Reel and Safety Buoy Holding Device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a combination diving reel and safety buoy holding device. The device includes a housing having a semi-circular shape with an open bottom portion for providing access to the interior volume therein. The interior volume of the housing is adapted to hold a reel assembly therein. The reel assembly is connected to a cover disposed on the exterior of the housing. The cover includes a handle and an axle, wherein the handle can be actuated to rotate the cover and the reel assembly concurrently about the axle. The exterior of the housing includes an inflatable safety buoy secured thereto. In one embodiment, the safety buoy is secured in place via an adjustable strap. The present invention may be removably attached to a diver&#39;s gear or accessories via a hook disposed on the top portion of the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/944,117 filed on Feb. 25, 2014. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a diving accessory. More specifically,the present invention pertains to an improved diving reel and safetybuoy holding device. The device includes a housing that is adapted tohold a diving reel therein, and that is adapted to transport a safetybuoy. In this way, the present invention provides an all-in-one devicethat provides means for marking underwater locations.

A buoy is a flotation device that is anchored to a line to mark alocation on a body of water. Buoys can be taken on dives by scuba diversto mark their position underwater. Additionally, buoys can be used tomark dive sites for the boat safety cover of scuba divers so that thedivers can descend to the dive site more easily in conditions of lowvisibility or tidal currents and more safely do decompression stops ontheir ascent.

To use a traditional surface marker buoy, divers generally carry a buoyand a separate reel assembly having a line wrapped therearound. However,it can be inconvenient to keep the reel assembly and the buoyseparately. Maintaining the reel assembly and the buoy separately canincrease the likelihood of misplacing one of the items, rendering theother item useless by itself. Thus, a device that allows divers to storea reel assembly and a buoy together in a compact manner is desired.

The present invention provides a combination diving reel and safety buoyholding device. The diving reel includes a housing for holding a reelassembly in the interior thereof, and an inflatable buoy on the exteriorthereof. The reel assembly is connected to a cover having a handleattached thereto. The handle can be extended outward into an openposition so as to rotate the cover and the reel assembly, wherebyrotating the reel assembly releases or retracts the line wrappedtherearound. The handle can also be moved inward into a closed positionso that it rests flush against the cover.

In one embodiment, the housing is substantially semi-circular in shapeand comprises a hook on the top portion thereof. The hook can be used toremovably attach the diving reel to the diver or other divingaccessories. The housing may further comprise a strap attached thereto.The strap can be used to secure the buoy on the exterior of the housing.In this way, the buoy is readily accessible when it is needed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that claim diving reels andsafety buoys. These include devices that have been patented andpublished in patent application publications. Devices in the prior artgenerally disclose safety buoys and markers with attached reels. Thesedevices, however, do not disclose a housing for holding a diving reel onthe exterior of the drum and a buoy on the interior thereof. Theforegoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the presentdisclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlightingand differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, andfurther highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,952 to Tenniswood discloses a compact,stowable marker device for underwater location. The device comprises ahousing having a reel thereon, and an elongated line attached to thehousing and wrapped around the reel. The line is further connected to aninflatable marker balloon. Tenniswood, however, does not disclose a hookfor securing the housing to the user, and a strap for securing a buoy onthe exterior of the housing.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,705,697 to Verdun discloses a scuba divingreel comprising a wrist band having a reel attached thereto. The reelcomprises a line that is connected to a buoy. The wrist band maycomprise hook and loop fasteners thereon for adjustably securing onto auser's wrist. In contrast, the present invention comprises a housing inwhich a reel is disposed. The reel can be actuated via a handle, whichcan be pivoted into a closed position when it is not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,211 to Suppa discloses a radio buoy that can bedropped from an aircraft or ship. The buoy can float on the surface ofthe ocean connected to a submerged hydrophone. The buoy can be used forunderwater monitoring. Suppa, however, does not disclose a housinghaving a diving reel in the interior thereof, and a buoy on the exteriorthereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,067 to Biba discloses a scuba take-up reel having ahousing with a reel disposed therein. The reel comprises a linetherearound, wherein a terminal end of the line comprises a hookthereon. The hook may be removably attached to a floating surface buoy.Biba, however, does not disclose a buoy that is secured to the exteriorthereof. Further, Biba does not disclose a reel that can be actuated viaa handle that is pivotally attached to a cover that is connected to thereel.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,723 to Lutz discloses an inflatableemergency device having a cylindrical housing comprising an upperportion and a lower portion. The upper portion comprises a balloon,which is connected to a cartridge chamber disposed in the lower portion.When the housing is submerged in water, the balloon is adapted toautomatically inflate so as to float on the water. In contrast, thepresent invention discloses an elongated buoy that can be rolled into acompact configuration so as to be secured on the exterior of thehousing.

The devices disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks.These devices are limited in that none of these devices comprise meansfor securing a buoy on the exterior of a diving reel. The presentinvention overcomes these limitations by disclosing a housing having adiving reel in the interior thereof, and a buoy on the exterior thereof.It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantiallydivergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it isclear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to diving reelsand safety buoys. In this regard, the instant invention substantiallyfulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofdiving reels and safety buoys now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new and improved combination diving reel and safetybuoy holding device wherein the same can be utilized for marking anunderwater location.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improvedcombination diving reel and safety buoy holding device that has all ofthe advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedcombination diving reel and safety buoy holding device having a reelthat can be rotated via a handle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved combination diving reel and safety buoy holding device that canbe removably attached to a diver or diving gear.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved combination diving reel and safety buoy holding devicehaving a buoy that is readily accessible and deployable.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved combination diving reel and safety buoy holding devicewherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permitrelative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the diving reel of the presentationhaving a handle in a closed position.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the diving reel of the presentationhaving a handle in an open position.

FIG. 3 shows a side planar view of the diving reel of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a top planar view of the diving reel of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a front planar view of the diving reel of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a disassembled view of the diving reel of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 shows a view of the safety buoy of the present invention in anopen position.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the combination diving reel andsafety buoy holding device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the combination diving reel and safety buoy holding device.For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of thepresent invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as usedfor marking an underwater location. The figures are intended forrepresentative purposes only and should not be considered to be limitingin any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of thediving reel of the present invention. The diving reel 21 comprises asemi-circular housing 22 having a top portion, side portions, and anopen bottom portion, providing access to the interior volume thereof.The top portion of the housing 22 comprises a hook 26 thereon, wherein alower end 43 of the hook 26 may be pivotally attached to the housing 22.Preferably, the hook 26 is centrally located on the top portion of thehousing 22. The top portion of the housing 22 may comprise apertures 30near the bottom portion thereof. The apertures 30 may be adapted toreceive a strap therethrough.

The interior of the housing 22 comprises a reel assembly 28. The reelassembly 28 is connected to a cover 24 that is disposed on the exteriorof one of the side portions of the housing 22. The cover 24 is circularin shape and comprises a plurality of apertures 23 thereon. In theillustrated embodiment, the apertures 23 are circular in shape and aredisposed along the peripheral edge of the cover 24 such that they areseparated at regular intervals.

One of the apertures 23 comprises a handle connector 27 having a handle25 pivotally attached thereto. In this way, the handle 25 can pivotinward into a closed position so that it rests flush against theexterior side of the cover 24, as shown in FIG. 1. The cover 24comprises a tab 29 thereon, wherein the tab is adapted to secure thehandle 25 in the closed position. The tab 29 comprises a rectangularshape, and includes a protrusion on the midpoint thereof. The protrusionis adapted to impede the handle 25 from pivoting. Conversely, the handle25 can pivot outward into an open position so that it is perpendicularto the cover 24. When the handle 25 is in an open position, it can beused to rotate the reel assembly 28 and the cover 24. Thereafter, thehandle 25 can be moved into a closed position so that the handle 25 doesnot snag onto diving equipment or accessories.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a side planar view and atop planar view of the diving reel of the present invention,respectively. The housing 22 is configured to partially enclose the reelassembly 28 so that the lower portion of the reel assembly 28 is exposedand the upper portion of the reel assembly 28 is enclosed in theinterior volume of the housing 22. The reel assembly 28 comprises twocircular plates and a cylindrical axle therebetween. One side of thereel assembly 28 is connected to the cover 24 having a handle 25thereon. The handle 25 can be pivoted outward so as to disengage the tabon the cover 24. Thereafter, the handle 25 can be used to rotate thecover 24, whereby rotating the cover 24 can rotate the reel assembly 28concurrently. When the reel assembly 28 is being rotated, the reelassembly 28 does not interfere with the pivotal movement of the hook 26disposed on the top portion of the housing.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a front planar view of thediving reel of the present invention. The front of the diving reel 21comprises a cover 24. The cover 24 is dimensioned so that it does notextend beyond the peripheral edge of the housing 22. Additionally, thediameter of the cover 24 is greater than the diameter of the reelassembly so that the reel assembly is not visible from the front.

The cover 24 comprises a plurality of apertures 23 along the peripheraledge thereof so as to allow water to pass through the diving reel 21when it is submerged in water. One of the apertures 23 comprises ahandle connector 27 having a handle 25 pivotally attached thereto. Thehandle connector 27 may be dimensioned so that is length issubstantially equal to the diameter of the aperture 23 in which it isplaced. Additionally, the handle 25 is dimensioned so that it can snapinto the tab and remain secured thereto until it is pulled out of thetab.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a disassembled view of thediving reel of the present invention. The diving reel 21 includes ahousing 22 having a semi-circular shape with a defined top portion andside portions, leaving the bottom portion open for providing access tothe interior volume therein. Additionally, the bottom of the housing 22comprises apertures 30 for receiving a strap 31 therethrough. Each ofthe lower ends 45 of the side portions comprises a protruding portion46. Each of the protruding portions 46 is centrally located on each ofthe lower ends 45 such that they are directly aligned. Additionally,each of the protruding portions 46 comprises a circular aperture 44thereon.

The interior volume of the housing 22 is adapted to receive the upperportion of the reel assembly 28 therein. The reel assembly 28 ispositioned so that the aperture 48 of the reel assembly 28 is alignedwith the aperture 44 of the housing 22. Preferably, the diameter of theaperture 48 of the reel assembly 28 is substantially equal to theaperture 44 of the housing 22. Each of the apertures 44, 48 is adaptedto receive an axle 47 that is connected to the interior side of thecover 24. Accordingly, the diameter of the axle 47 is slightly less thanthe diameter of the apertures 44, 48. The axle 47 may snugly fit withinthe aperture 48 so that the reel assembly 28 can rotate in conjunctionwith the cover 24 and the axle 47. It is contemplated that the axle 47spans the distance between the two plates of the reel assembly 28 sothat the axle 47 does not extend beyond the reel assembly 28. The axle47 may be prevented from becoming disengaged via a fastener or astopping mechanism such as a cap nut or a bolt disposed at terminal endthereof.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a view of the safety buoy of thepresent invention in an open position. The safety buoy 32 of the presentinvention comprises an elongated marker 36 having a proximal end 40 anda distal end 39. The marker 36 is easily inflatable, and is composed ofnylon heat sealed material or other suitable materials. The buoy isadapted to open easily. Additionally, it is preferred that the marker 36comprises a bright color, such as a neon color that is easily visible.

The proximal end 40 of the marker 36 comprises a planar flap 34. Theflap 34 includes a leading end 42 and a trailing end 41, wherein thetrailing end 41 is attached to the proximal end 40 of the marker 36. Theflap 34 may be stitched onto the proximal end 40 of the marker 36, orheat sealed. The leading end 42 of the flap 34 comprises a fastener 35that is connected to a hook 33. It is contemplated that the hook 33 maybe used to connect the buoy 32 to a line that is wrapped around thediving reel of the present invention. The distal end 39 of the marker 36may comprise a closed loop that can be used to connect to additionaldiving gear or to hang the buoy 32. In some embodiments, the buoy 32 mayfurther comprise an oral inflator for manually inflating the buoy, and areflective trim to increase visibility. In a deflated state, the buoy 32can be rolled so that it can be stored easily in a compact manner.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a view of the combination divingreel and safety buoy holding device of the present invention in a storedconfiguration. The buoy 32 is deflated and rolled so that it is compactin size. Thereafter, the buoy 32 is placed adjacent to one of the sideportions of the housing 22, and secured in place via a strap 31 that isthreaded through the apertures 30 on the housing 22. Preferably, thestrap 31 is adjustable in length so that it can be tightened around thebuoy 32. In some embodiments, the strap 31 may comprise a rubber band.

The buoy 32 is readily accessible from the exterior of the housing 22and can be transported with the reel assembly. When the buoy 32 is inuse, it can be removed from the strap 31 and connected to a line that iswrapped around the reel assembly. The strap 31 may be removed from thehousing 22 or used to carry the housing 22.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation,assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilledin the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specifications are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) A combination diving reel and safety buoy holding device,comprising: a housing having a top portion, side portions, and an openbottom portion for providing an access to an interior volume therein; areel assembly rotatably positioned within said interior volume of saidhousing; a cover having an interior side and an exterior side having ahandle pivotally attached to said exterior side; wherein said cover isaffixed to said reel assembly; wherein said reel assembly and said coveris adapted to be rotated by actuation of said handle, whereby saidhandle can be moved into an open position and a closed position; aninflatable buoy removably secured to one of said side portions of saidhousing via a strap. 2) The combination diving reel and safety buoyholding device of claim 1, wherein said inflatable buoy is elongated inshape. 3) The combination diving reel and safety buoy holding device ofclaim 1, wherein said housing is semi-circular in shape. 4) Thecombination diving reel and safety buoy holding device of claim 1, saidinterior side of said cover includes an axle extending perpendicularlytherefrom; said reel assembly comprising a centrally located aperture;each of said side portions of said housing comprising a lower end havinga centrally located aperture; wherein said aperture of said reelassembly and said aperture of said housing are directly aligned toreceive said axle therethrough. 5) The combination diving reel andsafety buoy holding device of claim 1, wherein said reel assemblycomprises two circular plates and a cylindrical axle therebetween. 6)The combination diving reel and safety buoy holding device of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of apertures near a lower end of said topportion of said housing; wherein said strap is secured through saidplurality of apertures near said lower end of said top portion of saidhousing. 7) The combination diving reel and safety buoy holding deviceof claim 1, wherein said strap is a rubber band. 8) The combinationdiving reel and safety buoy holding device of claim 1, wherein saidcover comprises a plurality of apertures along a peripheral edgethereof. 9) The combination diving reel and safety buoy holding deviceof claim 1, further comprising a tab on said cover; said tab adapted tosecure said handle in said closed position. 10) The combination divingreel and safety buoy holding device of claim 1, further comprising ahook pivotally attached to said top portion of said housing. 11) Thecombination diving reel and safety buoy holding device of claim 1,wherein said buoy comprises a hook.